As an expert in historical geography and cultural studies, I can provide you with a comprehensive answer regarding the name of Ethiopia before it was known as such.

Ethiopia, a country rich in history and culture, has had several names throughout its ancient and modern history. The name "Ethiopia" itself is derived from the Greek "Aithiopia" which means "land of the burnt-faced people." This term was used by ancient Greeks to describe the region south of Egypt, inhabited by people with dark skin. However, the Ethiopians have always referred to their country by its indigenous name, "Ityop'ia" in Amharic, which is believed to have originated from the name of the legendary Queen Ityopp'is.

The 15th-century Ge'ez Book of Aksum, a significant historical text, mentions a legendary figure named Ityopp'is. According to the narrative, Ityopp'is was an extra-biblical son of Cush, who was a son of Ham, and he is said to have founded the city of Axum. This city was a major center of the Kingdom of Aksum, an ancient Ethiopian civilization that flourished from the 1st to the 7th centuries AD. The Kingdom of Aksum was known for its trade links with the Roman Empire, India, and the Arabian Peninsula, and its adoption of Christianity as the state religion in the 4th century.

Historically, outside of Ethiopia and particularly in English, the country was once known as Abyssinia. This name is believed to have originated from the Arabic "Habash," which referred to the people living in the region. Over time, "Habash" was anglicized to "Abyssinia." The term was widely used during the Middle Ages and the early modern period, especially in European literature and maps. It was also used to describe the Ethiopian Empire, which was established after the fall of the Kingdom of Aksum.

The name Abyssinia was used to distinguish Ethiopia from other African regions and to highlight its unique cultural and historical identity. It was not until the 20th century that the name Ethiopia, derived from the Greek, became more widely recognized and used internationally. The shift in nomenclature was part of a broader trend of adopting indigenous names for countries and regions around the world.

In summary, Ethiopia has been known by several names throughout history. The indigenous name "Ityop'ia" is rooted in the legendary Queen Ityopp'is and the ancient city of Axum. The name "Abyssinia" was used historically in English and other European languages to refer to the region and its people. Today, Ethiopia is the name most commonly used to refer to this diverse and historically rich African nation.

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In the 15th-century Ge'ez Book of Aksum, the name is ascribed to a legendary individual called Ityopp'is. He was an extra-Biblical son of Cush, son of Ham, said to have founded the city of Axum. In English, and generally outside of Ethiopia, the country was once historically known as Abyssinia.read more >>